2 groups honored with RICE MILE Award

Rice staff members from faculty support at the Jones Graduate School of Business and the university’s Human Resources (HR) service team have received the RICE MILE Award in June.

Pictured are members of the faculty support group from Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business.

Tatianna Aker, assistant director of faculty support; senior faculty coordinators Marcie Carlson and Carol Richter; Ph.D. coordinator Melinda Pena; and faculty coordinators Anitra Ashewood, Kailen Bond, Katrena Friedman, Crystal Gant, Kerry Lawrynovicz, Tangie Robertson and Carmen Rogers were recognized for their contributions at the Jones School.

“Each faculty coordinator tenaciously strives to improve their knowledge of the job and even go beyond in researching and seeking alternative ways to improve processes,” the nomination letter said. “They are dedicated to the core mission of the faculty: research, teaching and the students.”

Sonja Edwards, senior HR records analyst, and HR coordinators Leslie Peralta and Samarah Johnson have been recognized for their work implementing new HR systems.

Pictured are members of the Human Resources service team.

The nomination letter praised Edwards, Peralta and Johnson for their work ethic, leadership, acceptance of new challenges and “thinking outside the box.”

Edwards, Peralta and Johnson have “a true passion for Rice and the Rice mission,” wrote the nominator. “It doesn’t matter what comes their way; they embrace the challenge with a ‘can do’ attitude.”

All levels of staff are eligible for consideration for the RICE MILE Award and can be nominated by peers, colleagues, co-workers or supervisors as long as they have at least one year of service and are in good standing. Nominations must be submitted through the RICE MILE Award online nomination form and require approval from senior leadership in the nominee’s school or division.

For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit http://people.rice.edu/careersrice/awards-and-recognition/the-rice-mile-award.